Strict Vaccination Requirements for School Employees

(from NPR, CNN and the 74 Million) All K-12 teachers and staff in Washington state, including public, private and charter school employees, could be fired if they aren't fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Oct. 18. Washington's mandate is wide-ranging: It applies to anyone working in a school environment, including bus drivers, coaches and volunteers. If employees don't comply, they could be subject to dismissal. Exemptions for religious or medical reasons will be allowed, but "personal or philosophical exemptions" aren't acceptable, according to the governor. 

New York City also just announced it would require all school staff to be vaccinated by September 27, without an option for testing. Leaders said this was part of the system's multi-layered approach to protect against outbreaks. The teacher vaccine mandate is particularly important because children under age 12 are not yet eligible to be vaccinated. Vaccinating all teachers would help create an immune shield around these unvaccinated students and help ensure schools can remain open and safe this coming school year.

Meanwhile, Culver City, California, has become the first public school district to require students 12 and older to be vaccinated. The rule may be challenged by law suits. 

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